About East Palo Alto
U.S. Census Facts for East Palo Alto
- Total Population: 28,155
- 7,754 housing units – 37.8% owner occupied
- Median household income: $50,142
- Bachelors degree or higher: 16.3%
- Median age: 28.9
East Palo Alto has gone through strong changes. In the 1950s cheap housing was built over farm land, much of which had been owned by Japanese families who were forced out during World War II. Many blue collar workers who worked on the SF Peninsula moved into the new housing and because of racial redlining a high percentage were African American. The Hispanic/Latino population in East Palo Alto has grown steadily and in 2010 reached about 65%. With the move of Facebook and other high-tech employers to east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, there has been strong growth in the number of young, high-income, professionals moving into the city.
East Palo Alto was an unincorporated area in San Mateo County until June 1983, however legal challenges prevented the incorporation from being officially recognized until 1987. East Palo Alto was not eligible for many of the revenue benefits for areas with city status.
Major employers in the city are: 1) Ravenswood City School Districe, 2) Ikea, 3) Four Seasons Hotel, 4) Home Depot, 5) Ravenswood Family Health Center, 6) US Post Office, 7) NTT Group, 8) City of East Palo Alto, 9) Nordstrom Rack, 10) Ropes and Gray Law Firm
East Palo Alto Real Estate Trends
Home prices in East Palo Alto were some of the hardest hit during the 2008 downturn. Although they have not returned to their 2006/2007 peak they more than doubled between 2009 and 2015.
Many homes were sold between 2008 and 2012 due to the economic downturn. From 2012 on home owners have begun demanding higher prices and buyers have pushed prices higher than the asking price.
East Palo Alto Schools
2120 Euclid Ave
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-329-2800
Ravenswood City School District Website